The Winner of the Battle
The air in the training grounds was still thick with heat. Amid the taut tension, it was hard to predict the victor.
"Good, the momentum's shifting in my favor!"
But judging by the current situation, Melina seemed to hold a slight edge. Eily and Elisha had traded blows, visibly draining their stamina, while Melina hadn't taken a single critical hit and remained in perfect condition. Her eyes gleamed with composure and confidence. Every movement was sharp yet fluid, like someone who already sensed victory.
"Fine. I didn't want to use this since it's dangerous, but I have no choice."
At that moment, Elisha stepped forward with bold confidence. A heavy aura began to overwhelm the training grounds, proving it wasn't mere bravado.
"I'll end this in one shot—"
Her voice was icy cold, yet it burned with fiery resolve. Flames and frost simultaneously rose from her hands. The clashing magics intertwined, creating a complex, oppressive energy that crushed the air around them.
"Fierce flames of fire, silent hush of ice, fates opposed now unite as one, grant me the power to burn and freeze all in its path."
"Red flames and blue frost, whirl in a vortex, explode from my hand!"
⟨ Frost Flame ⟩
As Elisha thrust her hand forward, a dazzling light erupted, forming a massive orb of fire and ice before her. Its surface blazed with flames while sharp ice and raging fire fused into one. It wasn't just mixed magic—it was a masterpiece harmonizing clashing destinies, embodying all of Elisha's power and will.
......
Honestly, I couldn't help but be impressed. That technique was Frost Flame, Elisha's ultimate spell from the game. By the story's progression, she shouldn't have been able to use it yet. But here she was, unleashing it right before my eyes.
What was the source of that power? After a moment's thought, I recalled the lore: in this world, mana could awaken in dramatic moments through sheer desperation and resolve.
Which meant Elisha was that determined. And all just to win a day alone with me? It felt ironically absurd. The idea that I was the cause of such fierce combat was bizarre.
"Haaaaah—!!"
With Elisha's cry, her spell crashed into the ground, sending shockwaves rippling out.
KUWWWOOONG—!!
The massive orb hit the floor with a deafening roar that tore through the air, shaking the entire training grounds.
"Ugh?"
The scorching heat and biting chill reached even me outside the arena.
"Ughhh?!"
Neither Eily nor Melina could evade the impact. Before they could flee, the whole field was devastated by Elisha's magic.
"Kyaa?! I-I can hold on!!"
Eily barely endured the onslaught, stabbing her sword into the ground and gritting her teeth against the storm.
"Aaaah—!!"
Melina, however, couldn't react in time and got swept away by the wave.
"Nyaaaa!"
In that instant, a desperate cat's cry brushed my ears. Turning, I saw the white cat Rathus meowing anxiously.
"Rathus?"
Was Rathus watching the fight too? And since when? But it didn't matter. The cat looked ready to leap into the arena any second.
…….
As Elisha's magic faded, silence blanketed the training grounds. Even after the flames and ice subsided, the lingering aftermath showed just how devastating it had been.
"Haa, haa…."
Eily, already exhausted, looked utterly drained after tanking the spell head-on. She was heaving ragged breaths nonstop.
"Ugh…."
Melina fared worse. Dazed from the shock, she lay precariously at the arena's edge, barely avoiding elimination. She was in no shape to continue—the confident poise from moments ago reduced to wreckage.
"Hoo… S-so, how's that? G-gonna give up now…?"
The tables had turned in an instant. Elisha now held the advantage, but she was panting from mana depletion, struggling to stay upright.
"I can still fight…."
Breaking the heavy silence, Eily recovered first. Gripping her sword firmly, she steadied her breath and assumed a battle stance. Intense sword aura swirled around her.
"Nngh… It hurts. But I won't lose."
Melina followed suit, calmly righting herself and nocking an arrow. The air around her began to churn.
"Think you can block this after wasting your strength?"
Melina's gaze was unshaken. She swiftly drew her bow, her hair whipping in the wind, adding elegance to her motion.
"Spirits of the wind, transform my arrow into a judgment of punishment!"
⟨ Saint Arrow ⟩
With resolute eyes locked on Elisha, Melina channeled wind energy into the arrowhead, whipping up a vortex. The bowstring hummed with power as her eyes burned with determination.
Swish—
A single, silent shot. The wind-blessed arrow streaked toward Elisha.
"Pure crystal of cold ice, eternal permafrost that never melts, protect me…."
Elisha tried summoning an ice barrier, but mana shortage made it shatter on impact.
Clang—!
"Wha?!"
Surprise flashed across Elisha's face. Though weakened, Melina's arrow pierced her, forcing a pained groan as she staggered back.
"Urgh…!"
She looked in agony. But Eily and Melina were equally worn from the grueling fight.
"Tch… Fine, let's go all the way."
Elisha clicked her tongue and rose cautiously, igniting flames in her hand to squeeze out her remaining mana.
"Hoo—"
Melina matched her, taking a deep breath and drawing her bow.
"I'm ready."
Eily crouched, poised to spring. All three were locked in, hesitation gone, ready for the finish.
"This won't do—"
In the end, watching their clash, I made up my mind and stood.
"That's enough."
I leaped in between them with a shout.
"Master?!"
"Arnold, what the—?!"
"You can't just butt in!"
My reason was simple: to stop them. Honestly, this was my fault for being careless. My idle curiosity had let them fight this viciously, risking serious injury.
"I don't want any of you getting hurt. I can't watch that."
At my words, the three softened, a shy atmosphere settling in. My concern touched them, and the killing intent faded.
"B-but Master… then we can't decide a winner."
"Yeah. Unless you pick one?"
"It'll be me, right? Choose me."
They gazed at me pleadingly with desperate eyes.
"Hmm…"
Truth be told, I bore some blame. All three were battered; I couldn't choose just one. I wanted to give them all a chance.
"You all did great. So I want to give you all a shot."
Eily, Elisha, and Melina stared in bewilderment.
"Huh?!"
They were stunned by the no-loser verdict.
"What? All of us?"
"Ugh… no monopoly then? Well, at least I get alone time with you. Not bad…"
"A bit disappointing, but if that's what you say, Master…"
In the end, hostilities vanished completely, and the matter settled.
"Sorry. Shouldn't have offered that prize."
"No, Master did nothing wrong."
"I set the terms on my own anyway…"
"I'm just happy to make memories with you."
On the flip side, the days ahead worried me a little. Entertaining one per day already felt exhausting. But I'd accept it—after all, it was my doing.